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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: euphzji on Mon, 13 August 2012, 23:23:31

Title: Guide to removing larger keys on mechanical keyboards? (Specifically Das)
Post by: euphzji on Mon, 13 August 2012, 23:23:31

Hi all,

I tried searching the website, maybe I looked in the wrong area. One post directed me towards the wiki, but there appears to be nothing there at the moment :(
Does anyone have a guide for removing the larger keys on mechanical keyboards? Places such as the Das website make it sound scary as hell with the possibility of breaking the springs on my spacebar and other keys, so maybe a video or something would be absolutely amazing. I seem to remember seeing an instructional video like this for a Ducky keyboard on Youtube, but I haven't been able to find it again.

Thanks in advance for anything you come up with.

Title: Re: Guide to removing larger keys on mechanical keyboards? (Specifically Das)
Post by: mmmty on Tue, 14 August 2012, 00:04:24

For big keys I use wire puller & dental pick. First, remove surrounding small keys. Pull the key up gently with wire puller until it's off the switch. Then push the key to the left a little while pushing the wire underneath the keycap to the right with the dental pick. Reverse the process to put the keycap back.

For spacebar, just push up on each side with your index fingers.

Title: Re: Guide to removing larger keys on mechanical keyboards? (Specifically Das)
Post by: reaper on Tue, 14 August 2012, 00:20:37

Great guide with pics there.  Thanks mmmty.  :)

Title: Re: Guide to removing larger keys on mechanical keyboards? (Specifically Das)
Post by: euphzji on Tue, 14 August 2012, 00:31:39

Thank you so much mmmty! Now when I'm changing out my keycaps tomorrow I probably won't freak out as much :)

Title: Re: Guide to removing larger keys on mechanical keyboards? (Specifically Das)
Post by: mmmty on Tue, 14 August 2012, 00:35:04

(http://www.smiley-faces.org/smiley-faces/smiley-face-angel-006.gif)

Title: Re: Guide to removing larger keys on mechanical keyboards? (Specifically Das)
Post by: MarkPharaoh on Tue, 14 August 2012, 01:16:13

Great guide. If you need further help, someone posted a video on how to do it on Youtube. I found it with a quick search.

Title: Re: Guide to removing larger keys on mechanical keyboards? (Specifically Das)
Post by: bisl on Tue, 14 August 2012, 01:48:06

Anyone got a link for those cap remover tools? I've just been using a shaped paperclip but I feel like I might damage the stems this way.

Title: Guide to removing larger keys on mechanical keyboards? (Specifically Das)
Post by: cactux on Tue, 14 August 2012, 01:59:44

leopold keycap remover elitekeyboards.com or the equivalent in wasd keyboards

Title: Re: Guide to removing larger keys on mechanical keyboards? (Specifically Das)
Post by: euphzji on Tue, 14 August 2012, 03:27:41

Quote from: bisl on Tue, 14 August 2012, 01:48:06

Anyone got a link for those cap remover tools? I've just been using a shaped paperclip but I feel like I might damage the stems this way.

Like cactux mentioned, the Leopold key puller from elitekeyboards is really nice. That's what I've been using to pull the normal keys to clean my keyboard.

Title: Re: Guide to removing larger keys on mechanical keyboards? (Specifically Das)
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 14 August 2012, 07:59:42

I agree that the Leopold keycap remover is very nice. The thinness of the wire is great for tightly spaced keys.

I never understood why people like the plastic ones, they are just too fat.

But for free, and to have it in your hand 2 minutes from now, try this: